Railroad-tie



. UNITED STATES PATENT QEEICE.

SAMUEL D. STAUFFER, OF iMARIETTA, PENNSYLVANIA.

RAlLROAD-TI'E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 425,266, dated April 8, 1890. Application filed July 24, 1888. Serial No. 280,892. (No model.)

To all whom/ it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL D. STAUFFER, a citizen of the United States, residing in Marietta, in the county of Lancaster and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Railroad-Ties, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in reversible metallic railroad-ties; and my obect is, first, to produce a tie any side of which can be used as a bearing for the rails; second, one which will be lighter and more readily handled than those now in use, and, third, on e which can be thoroughly su rrou nded and packed with ballast.

This tie is composed of two metallic plates separated by bearing-blocks, to which the rails are spiked. There may also be additional blocks inserted between the plates, if needed or desirable; or the plates may be connected by bolts, as will be hereinafter fully explained.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a plan or top view of my tie when laid flat, and Fig. 2 aside elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the tie when set on edge, and Fig. 4: a top view of the same. Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the line at 00 of Fig. 3.

AA represent two metallic plates, between which are placed two bearing-blocks B B at the points where the rails rest upon the tie. These blocks are of the same width as the plates, .but they are of such length as to extend beyond the edges of the rail R, resting above them, so as to receive the spikes without splitting. The entire space between the blocks is open,with the exception of a screwbolt 7), and is filled with ballast. The bolt enables the plates to be drawn together and compress the ballast, and produces pressure at the same time upon the beaiingblocks, thus fixing the tie more firmly in place and aiding in keeping the blocks in position.

There are openings 0 through the plates at the point where the rails rest over the blocks, through which the spikes d, which hold the rail in position, are driven into the blocks. The blocks are of wood or any substance into which a spike can be driven.

The ends of the tie may he tapered or beveled on both the sides and edges, as shown at e and f, Figs. 2 and 3, so that when resting on the face of one of the plates, or the edges of both, the ends may slope, so as to conform with the slope of the ballast along the sides of the track.

The ends of the plates may be brought together in a point and so secured, as shown at D, Fig. 2; or they may have a filling-block F. between them, with a bolt passing through the whole, as seen at the other end of the same figure.

When the tie is laid on edge, Figs. 3, 4, and 5, bolts F secure the plates and blocks to prevent movement of the latter. In this case, also, the tie is provided with base-plates G, of such width as to project somewhat beyond the edges of the plates and of sufficient length to form a bearing for the blocks 13 B.

VVheI-e tracks connect with each other additional blocks similar to B 13 can be inserted between the plates.

The advantages of this tie are numerous. It is light and easily handled. It cannot only be surrounded with ballast but filled with it.

Rails can be attached to and removed from it as with a wooden tie. W'ater drains from it with perfect freedom, no matter in which position it may be laid, and the bearing-blocks, when rotten or worn out, can readily be re moved and others put in their places.

If preferable, only one plate need be perforated for spikes.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim-as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A railroad-tie open on the sides and consistin g of two plates, in combination with blocks so located as to form bearings for the rails, the plates extending beyond the bear ing-blocks and having their ends connected,

the said ends being tapered on their sides and edges, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. A railroad-tie consisting of two plates, in combinationwith blocks placed between the plates to form bearings for the rails, the plates extending outside of the blocks and having their ends connected, the space between the plates being decreased from the blocks and having their ends connected, sub-. blocks toward the ends, substantially as specistantially as specified. fied.

3. A railroad-tie open on the sides and con- 5 sisting of two plates, in combination with \Vitnesses:

bearing-blocks located between the plates, 7 GEO. A. LANE, the plates extending outside of the bearing- WM. R. GERHART.

S. D. STAUFFER. 

